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Succulents are popular amongst home gardeners due to their beauty and indestructible nature. These hardy plants are indigenous to many parts of the world and live in a number of different conditions. Thick and fleshy stems, roots or foliage hold water, making these perfect plants for arid locations. Depending on the species, succulents thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 10. Warm weather succulents such as cacti, ice plants, talinums, woody lilies and portulaca can be transplanted any time between the middle of May and August. Sedum and sempervivums can be transplanted any time except during a very hot spell, or when the soil starts to freeze.

Select a location with excellent drainage and plenty of sun for your succulent.

Make a circle around the succulent that is 6 inches away from the plant. Succulents have a shallow and wide root system.

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Loosen the dirt around the plant with a garden spade. Make angled cuts with the spade along your circle line. Dig down deep enough to gather all of the roots.

Lift the plant out of the ground gently. Set the spade with the plant off to the side while you prepare the new hole.

Dig a hole that is 3 inches bigger in diameter than the plant's root ball.

Place the succulent in the newly prepared hole. The crown should be at ground level. Be very careful not to disturb the roots, and keep as much soil around the roots as possible.

Pack the soil around the plant, gently pressing it down. Water the plant and the surrounding soil thoroughly.

Water the new transplant daily for three days; then, water every three days for three weeks until the succulent is established. Do not water a newly transplanted cactus.

Tip

Surround your succulent with small pebbles or rocks to help with drainage.

Remember, the larger the succulent, the more difficult it will be to transplant.

Warning

Wear gloves if working with cacti.

Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged.

Things Needed

Garden spade

Warnings

Wear gloves if working with cacti.

Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged.

Tips

Surround your succulent with small pebbles or rocks to help with drainage.

Remember, the larger the succulent, the more difficult it will be to transplant.

Photo Credits

Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images

About the Author

Susan Patterson is a health and gardening advocate. She is a Master Gardener, Certified Metabolic Typing Advisor and a Certified Health Coach with vast experience working with organic gardening and nutrition. Her passions include sustainable living, organic foods and functional fitness. Patterson has been writing and presenting on health and gardening topics for 10 years.